Our House

[Cordwangle]

Last year whilst walking to the shops with the Mrs she pointed to a house and said "look, that's up for auction." Foolishly I arranged for us to view it and then less than a month later it was ours. I didn't need a house, wasn't looking for a house but somehow managed to fall in love with it and buy it inside a month. It's a big house, built in 1882 with an extension on the side, which was an orangery but was replaced about 30 years ago. It was being used as an HMO but I couldn't bear the lack of respect being shown to the property so I've decided to return it to a single dwelling. It has lots of original features and is a really grand building. We've started doing stuff already, we were going to move in and live through the work but as I can see the house from where we live now,I decided to stay here and take my time. ( a wise decision I feel).
Here are some pictures.
http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/misterclark1/library/?view=recent?view=recent

 

[Feltwell]

Welcome!

That's some place you've bought yourself there - especially on a whim! Whereabouts in the UK are you?

That first floor landing window is quite spectacular. Even by Victorian standards, whoever specified your house clearly liked the ornate. Do you know how old it is? I'd hazard a guess at 1890-1900.

 

[Moo]

It's gorgeous, and I can quite see why you fell for it!

People like you deserve a medal.

 

[Flyfisher]

Wow! Not bad for an impulse buy.

I agree with Moo . . . unless you're a developer and are planning to convert it into flats, which is a not-uncommon fate for such wonderful, large houses (I'm assuming not as you probably wouldn't be joining PPUK).

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Hello and Welcome Cordwangle---lovely house with some spectacular details.
Maybe best to avoid shopping trips with your other half for a while---- :wink:

We all look forward to more pictures as you begin to sort things out. Good Luck

 

[plasticpigeon]

It's alright i suppose :wink:

 

[88v8]

Behind that forbidding exterior lies a cornocupia of delights.
Thank goodness for past owners who have been too sensitive/lazy/impoverished to obliterate it.

The radiator cover... lovely cornice detail... lincrusta up the stairs... gorgeous glass.... monumental fireplace. On and on.
Thinking 1905?

What on earth does one do with a place like that.... a large family with plenty of money, and good taste..

Ivor

 

[LadyArowana]

Brilliant, but next time Mrs C makes a comment like that distract her with talk of "designer shoes on sale" or whatever else is her weakness, the moment will pass and with any luck it will be too late before she remembers.

 

[plasticpigeon]

This is quite a funny thread, as Cordwangle has already said that the house was built in 1882 and he and his partner are planning to make it back into one dwelling before living there!!!

 

[kreyszig]

stunning!

 

[ChrisP3]

Wow...that's quite a house. Can't wait to see the progress you make on the place.

 

[Cordwangle]

Mrs. C was amazed that anyone could think that she could possibly have any interest in shoes. As if! She probably wanted the property to house her bloody collection.
I've uploaded some more photos today showing some work already done and others where there's still stuff to do, some bits of graffiti found under wall paper and on the walls in the cellar, an old mangle and other bits and bobs.
Central heating and re-wiring are the major tasks, everything is just so bloody big! I'm really not joking when I said we went out to get some milk and came back with a house ( where are the designer shoes when you need them? ). We're trying to maintain as much of the original fabric of the building as possible, but are restricted by finances and time. We don't really have a set budget due to the unplanned nature of the venture. The windows have been looked at and all the sashes now work correctly, new cords and weights etc. There's a mile of lead pipework in the walls and under the floorboards that needs to come out and be replaced. The central heating is mostly done on the top floor and the focus is now shifting to the first floor where all the kids bedrooms are going to be. We've stripped all the paper off the walls and hopefully the plaster work is OK. A lot on the top floor had to come off as if was pretty much shot, especially on the outside walls. We've now decided that we want to get in as soon as possible as paying double council tax, water rates and all the other bills that seem to appear is a drain.
There's a half collapsed coach house in the garden that'll need sorting as well.........!

 

[Feltwell]

This is quite a funny thread, as Cordwangle has already said that the house was built in 1882

Oh yeah. Doh! :roll:

 

[88v8]

This is quite a funny thread, as Cordwangle has already said that the house was built in 1882

Oh yeah. Doh! :roll:

Errrrm

 

[plasticpigeon]

Why don't you keep the lead in place, it's not harming anyone! That lath and plaster ceiling with a hole on. Definitely repairable

 

[kreyszig]

Is that metallic looking ceiling painted, or are they tin tiles? Looks great!

 

[Emm McB]

That's a stunning looking house! I'm jealous, I dream of taking on a project like that.

Good luck!

 

[Cordwangle]

Spent today removing the stud wall that had been hiding the side of the stairs and blocking light for the last 30 years. Uploaded some pics.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Lovely house... I reckon 1882. Am I close?

And the good thing is, there's not much to do. I reckon you'll be in by Christmas! 8)

 

[JayRexy]

Wow what spectacular house and made even more impressive by the fact you bought it on a wim! I look forward to seeing the progress on this